The path around Lac du Bouchet

An ideal place for a walk, Lac du Bouchet is reminiscent of a Canadian lake. A real gem in its forest setting, this circular lake of volcanic origin occupies the site of an ancient crater.
The suggested route allows you to walk around it. It is a very easy walk that can be enjoyed by the whole family.

Details

n°1714

Creation:
23 Oct 2011

Last update:
06 Jul 2020

Last review:
14 Oct 2024

Activity: Walking
Distance: 2.61 km
Average duration: 0h 45
Difficulty: Easy
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 4 m
Descent: - 5 m
Highest point: 1,216 m
Lowest point: 1,207 m

Country: France
Areas: Massif central, Margeride
District: Cayres (43510)
Start/End: N 44.91209° / E 3.793204°
IGN map(s): Ref. 2736E
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Description of the walk

(S/E) After parking at the side of the road leading to the chalet inn, walk down the path to the lake.

Continue under the trees, following the shore on your right. On the well-marked path, you can stop to read the enamelled lava panels recounting legends and explaining how the lake was formed.

(1) Walk across the open area to the beach on the south side of the lake. Walk along the beach, then enter the forest, continuing to follow the path.
Walk past a picnic area. Immediately afterwards, leave the path to go to Garou's barrel.

(2). Then return to the path to continue your walk around the lake.

(3) Walk past a playground before arriving at the chalet inn.

Pass in front of the café, between the terrace and the pedalo jetty, to return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,212 m - Roadside &gt - Lac du Bouchet
1 : km 0.94 - alt. 1,208 m - Beach
2 : km 1.59 - alt. 1,216 m - Tonneau de Garou
3 : km 2.39 - alt. 1,209 m - Children's playground
S/E : km 2.61 - alt. 1,211 m - Roadside at Lac Bouchet

Notes

This walk can be done without a map. Just follow the path along the banks, keeping the lake on your left or right depending on the direction you are walking.

To make the most of the lake, visit outside of peak hours on Sunday afternoons.

The restaurant is open every day except Monday afternoon and evening and all day Tuesday.

Worth a visit

The lake has a supervised swimming area in the afternoons, at the small beach on the opposite shore from the lake restaurant.

In front of the restaurant, you can hire pedalos (€10 for half an hour and €15 for an hour).

The site's visitor centre offers quadricycle and electric bike hire.

Le Tonneau du Garou. A path leads visitors to the barrel that was home to Pierre Brin, known as Garou. He spent nearly 10 years living in this sort of second home near Lac du Bouchet. The barrel's 5,000-litre capacity allowed Garou to use it as a summer residence.

The Haute-Loire Fishing and Aquatic Environment Protection Federation offers introductory courses in boat fishing for salmonids (for ages 12 and up) on Wednesdays (5, 12, 19 and 26 August) and Thursdays (16, 23 and 30 July; 6, 13 and 20 August) from 2pm to 4.30pm. These sessions will be led by professional, qualified instructors. Equipment and bait will be provided, as well as fishing permits. A participation fee will be charged and all necessary measures will be taken to ensure compliance with social distancing and hygiene measures. Meet in front of the restaurant. Reservations are required: 04.71.09.09.44. Fee: €30.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5

Based on 15 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5

Route interest
4.3 / 5

albert martine

14 Oct 2024 at 16:27 7200

very easy and very pleasant

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liliane.clarens

15 Jun 2024 at 15:56 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

After a lovely meal with friends, we decided to walk around the lake.
It was a very pleasant trail, currently lined with bright yellow broom and a variety of trees.
On the beach side, the brave ones had their feet in the water, which was still a little cool despite the sunshine.
There were information boards along the way, beautifully laid out.
Thank you to the author for this wonderful discovery.

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ibouillot

25 Sep 2023 at 09:52 7200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

too many people

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Olive3048

31 Jul 2023 at 10:15 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 31, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

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Geo Rock

24 Apr 2023 at 08:44 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello.
I took charge of a group of visitors from Lozère who wanted to discover this site. I took on the role of guide after carefully preparing for the day's hike (local history, characteristics of the lake and its surroundings, geography, legends, etc.). It's true that I regularly walk the paths and woods in this area. And in all seasons!
The result: they left delighted with their wonderful day and promised to return to visit the lake and its surroundings.

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acamp

14 Jun 2021 at 11:50 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 10, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Easy hike. Very beautiful lake.

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elliottthau

06 Oct 2020 at 17:03 7200

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 06, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A simple, unpretentious route for a peaceful family outing in a landscape worthy of Quebec!

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veralex

22 Sep 2020 at 12:18 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 17, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

More of a stroll than a hike, relaxing, good for families and jogging

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les portes

20 May 2019 at 14:20 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 16, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

beautiful walk as described

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MALRIF

02 Oct 2018 at 20:23 7200 • Edited: 02 Oct 2018 at 20:24 7200

Nothing unusual, since according to its website, Tuesday is its closing day. It is open every day except Monday afternoon and evening and Tuesday all day.

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Epp Andre

02 Oct 2018 at 16:51 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 02, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

a pleasant walk around the lake on flat, easy terrain. At the end of the walk, we wanted to stop at the restaurant for a drink, but they refused to serve us. It was 4 p.m. and it's September!

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Hélène 50

09 Jul 2018 at 22:59 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 05, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

It's very pleasant to hike around this lake! The setting is lovely, surrounded by forest. And afterwards, we had coffee on the restaurant terrace, in the sunshine

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boubougnette

11 Nov 2016 at 15:22 3600

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 13, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A short, easy hike in beautiful surroundings. On the day we went, it was grey and cold, but the walk was still lovely.

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MALRIF

04 Jul 2016 at 18:06 7200

You went on the hike on Tuesday, 28 June. The restaurant is only open on Tuesdays in July and August. On other days of the week, it is open all year round.

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mgb67

04 Jul 2016 at 08:18 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 28, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Walk with people who have difficulty walking for medical reasons. So an easy, flat, shaded and not too long trail.
The only downside was that the restaurant was closed...too bad, we were thirsty.

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Author

MALRIF
47 Walks

Visorando member

District: Le Puy-en-Velay (43000)

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